Job-Site Safety for Electricians

OSHA lists the following hazards as the most frequent causes of electrical injuries:

• Contact with power lines
• Lack of ground-fault protection
• Missing or discontinuous path to ground
• Equipment not used in prescribed manner
• Improper use of extension and flexible cords

OSHA electrical standards require that approved organizations test and certify electrical equipment to reduce hazards in the workplace. OSHA requirements for electrical safety practices include workplace inspections and documentation of all training and accidents.

OSHA electrical standards are based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. NFPA 70 addresses the national electric code and NFPA 70E addresses electrical safety requirements for employee workplaces. For example, OSHA requires employers use safety-related practices to prevent electrical shock or injuries, while NFPA 70E describes electrical safety practices in detail.

NFPA electrical safety standards are not mandatory, but employers can be cited for failing to follow safe practices during OSHA inspections. Repeated employee exposures to electrical shocks can incur penalties of thousands of dollars.

Safety for electricians begins with the gear they use on the job. OSHA enforces the use of PPE to reduce the chance of harm in any area with electrical hazards. This PPE includes flame-resistant, arc-rated natural fiber apparel such as long-sleeve shirts or jackets, long pants, overalls or coveralls. The apparel should be fully buttoned with sleeves rolled down to cover all skin and ignitable clothing.

Other PPE designed to mitigate electrical hazards includes:

• Rubber insulating work gloves
• Safety glasses
• Non-conducting hard hats
• Leather work boots with insulated insoles
• Arc flash hoods
• Insulated hand tools

Pro Tip: Electricians should never have jewelry, keys, wristwatches or other metal objects on their person.

Some of the most frequent OSHA citations involving electrical safety include electrical equipment in wet locations, improper lockout/tagout procedures and improper grounding and insulation.

OSHA standards include the following electrical safety practices:

• Make sure all electrical equipment passes a visual inspection before use.
• Use equipment with insulating materials such as glass, mica, rubber or plastic to reduce the flow of electrical current. The insulation must be suitable to the voltage used in order to prevent shocks, fires and short circuits. Color coding often indicates the preferred application for the different types of insulation.
• Guard electrical equipment with exposed parts operating at 50 volts or more. This can involve enclosing the equipment to make sure only authorized personnel can access it and that other people don’t accidentally contact the live parts. Electrical rooms and guarded locations should be marked with warning signs. Follow lockout/tagout procedures that include padlocking shut a power source and attaching a tag with warnings and other details.
• Ground tools or electrical systems by creating low-resistance paths that connect to the earth and prevent the buildup of voltages that could cause electrical accidents. A service or system ground is designed primarily to protect machines, tools and insulation against damage. An equipment ground helps protect the operator.
• Use circuit protection devices to automatically limit or stop the flow of current in the event of a ground fault, overload or short circuit in the wiring system. These devices include fuses, circuit breakers, ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and arc-fault circuit interrupters.

Follow these electrical safety tips to avoid shocks, burns or other injuries.

• Know all electrical codes for your area, including the most recent updates.
• Use wood or fiberglass ladders when working near electrical wiring.
• Deenergize electrical equipment before inspection or repair. Always use a multimeter to check for the presence of an electrical current before touching, even when you think it’s been deenergized.
• Inspect power tools and equipment for frayed cords, exposed wires and missing or loose prongs. Check for cracks in the handles or body casings of tools as well as damaged switches or faulty trigger locks. If a tool is damaged, take it out of use and tag it accordingly.
• Make sure the insulation that covers extension cords is undamaged.
• Avoid working with water or moisture, including sweaty hands and rooms with high condensation. Make sure GFCIs are used in damp or wet work areas.
• Maintain a safe distance when working under or near overhead power lines. When working near very high-voltage lines, ground any equipment that can become energized, such as cranes. If working on powerlines, ensure that the lines have been deenergized and grounded by the owner or operator of the lines. Insulating or guarding the lines can also help prevent accidental contact
• Do not touch someone who is being electrocuted, as the current could run through your body as well. Immediately shut off the power source and call 911. If the power source is inaccessible, push the person away from the contact with an object made of nonconductive material such as wood or plastic.
• While voltage above 40 and amperage above 25 milliamps are considered hazardous, use caution at all times. Always assume electrical wiring is live.

Pro Tip: If safe to do so, work with one hand and keep the other hand in your pocket, at your side or otherwise away from conductive material. This reduces the chance of a “loop” that can cause electrical current to pass through your chest from hand to hand.

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